DWFRS ask us to not let Halloween be 'scary for wrong reasons'
Our local fire service is issuing safety advice
As we build up to Halloween in the coming days (Monday 31st October), there's a plea from our local firefighters to stay safe.
Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue wants us to make sure the event doesn't 'become scary for the wrong reasons'.
Crews are warning that they see incidents where candles or fireworks have caused blazes and injuries in the past.
There are also concerns about some costumes being very flammable, setting clothes and hair alight - along with advice to not use plastic capes or bin liners.
Safe & Well Manager for DWFRS Vikki Thomas said:
“We don’t want to stop people enjoying Halloween, but we do want them to celebrate safely. There is nothing more terrifying than having a fire at home or seeing your child’s clothes catch alight.”
There's a series of tips that have been released by the service:
- Check labels – those attached to the product should show a CE Mark, which means it complies with EN71-2 and meets the European flammability resistant requirements for toys
- You may wish to also look for swing labels which indicate the costume has undergone the British Retail Consortium’s additional tests; that will say “This garment has undergone additional safety testing for flammability” which is reassurance the costume is safer than legally required under EN71-2
- Buy from a reputable retailer – cheap or imported costumes may not meet UK safety standards and, at worst, may carry fake safety labelling
- Layer up – wear clothes under dressing up costumes, to give a layer of protection between the costume and your skin, to help protect you in the event of a fire, as well as being warmer
- Don’t let your child go near any ignition sources – sparklers can burn at up to 2,000 degrees Celsius
- Replace candles in pumpkins with battery powered candles – these are cheap, they don’t blow out and are much safer
- Teach your child to STOP, DROP and ROLL in the event that their clothing does catch fire
- In an emergency, cool any burns with large amounts of water and get urgent medical assistance
- If you must use candles, make sure they are securely placed in a correct holder and in a place where they are not likely to be knocked over, and away from curtains, any other fabrics and draughts
- Make sure candles are extinguished when you go to bed
- If you are using decorative lights in your home, ensure that electricity sockets are not overloaded and that they’re switched off at the socket at night
DWFRS has put a special safety advice page |newtab) on their website ahead of Halloween.
Children visiting that can also enter a prize draw to win a VIP visit to a local fire station, with a closing date of 7th November.